Integrating Medical and Behavioral Healthcare
Mental health and physical health are closely related. Yet community members that need more than one sort of health service are often treated in siloes. There’s a system for medical care, another for mental health and a third for substance abuse. It’s inefficient. It’s difficult for patients and providers. And research shows that it leads to poorer health.
Our vision is a region where physical and behavioral health are addressed in a seamless system. The result is more coordinated care for patients and better access to the services they need.
We are excited to help organize this integration in Southwest Washington. The idea sounds simple. However, it requires making big changes to our current system.